Three weeks! Things continue to get better. The girls know now that when I ask them to do something, I mean business. They may still try to put up a little fuss, but I simply say, "No whining, let's just get this done," and they comply. They are calling me Mom most of the time now. I love that! My heart thumps a little harder when they say the word.
With Mark the relationship building has been a little tougher. He has tried so hard to build a relationship through fun and teasing. They initially responded to that, but after a time they shut down to that approach. Mark is having to start over using a different approach. It's not easy for him. I think the girls simply are not used to having a man around as a caregiver and part of the family. They had all female caregivers, and most of their teachers and the orphanage staff were female. They aren't used to having a dad, especially not one who teases and jokes and wrestles with the kids, as Mark did with our older two. It requires a little more subtle and gentle approach, and Mark is trying to revamp his style to the best of his ability. He has decided to pull back and use different methods. So far, so good.
So many new experiences! We went to the zoo, and Zhanna and Ella loved the animals. We took the tram ride up to the top of the mountain, and hiked there. They enjoyed the forest, but I think we wore them out. We went to our Christian camp on Thursday night to see friends and teenagers who are there this week. At first it was intimidating to the girls to meet so many people who know of them, but by the end of the evening they said they liked camp very much. They said it was much different than camp in Ukraine. We went to a wedding last night. It was the first time the girls had ever been to a wedding. They loved it! They were fascinated by the beautiful bride (Sara) in her lovely, white gown, and watched the groom (Zach) intently as he danced with her. The girls really enjoyed the reception dinner and had fun dancing later, after a little coaxing. Then we couldn't get them to leave! It was a great experience for them.
We had special outdoor family pictures made last week, and got the proofs back by internet today. They enjoyed looking at themselves and the family and helping to decide which pose is the best of all of us. I think seeing those pictures has helped the girls to see themselves as real members of this family.
They are also growing in their knowledge of the Lord. We bought them Russian/English Bibles which arrived earlier this week. They wanted to go buy Bible covers right away. We also bought tabs for their Bibles, and they started to place those in their Bibles with Nathan and Annie's help, but finished all by themselves. They have been reading their Bibles enthusiastically on their own. Ella has been reading in the book of Mark about Jesus, and Zhanna has been reading from Exodus about Moses leading the people out of slavery. Good stuff!
Our family listens to Christian music on K-Love whenever we get into the car together. Zhanna and Ella have picked up on this right away, and now whenever we get ready to go someplace they say, "Dad, music, please!" They are learning the words to Christian songs and their favorites are "In the Hands of God" by the Newsboys, "God, You Reign" by Lincoln Brewster, and "Revelation Song (Holy, Holy, Holy)" by Philips, Craig and Dean. What a joy to hear them singing about Jesus in the backseat.
I think the song "In the Hands of God" has become our family's theme song in this entire endeavor. God has carried us for the past months of active pursuit of the girls, and the words of this song continue to carry us now as we place our girls in God's hands within our family.
"In the hands of God, we will fall.
Rest for the restless, and the weary, hope for the sinner.
In the hands of God, we stand tall.
Hands that are mighty to deliver, giving us freedom.
YOU'RE AMAZING. YOU'RE AMAZING, YOU ARE!
AND WE PRAISE YOU, LORD, FOR WHAT YOUR HANDS HAVE DONE!
YOU'RE AMAZING. YOU'RE AMAZING, YOU ARE!
We continue to be amazed by God and what He is doing in our lives.
Love to all,
Dawn and Mark
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2 comments:
My hubby can relate to Mark! We finally had J drive O to school every morning. It was forced bonding time. He also tucks the kids in at night and prays with them, always. She preferred me for the first two months, now after four months dad is an OK substitute! Glad to hear things are going well! God bless your continued journey!
I saw their bright new Bible covers Wednesday night. Great to see, when some "old timers" have to scrabble to find a Bible on the shelf because they forgot theirs.
Hang in there, Mark, and don't get too far away from who you are. Maybe as they learn English more and more, the kidding will make more sense to them. You and I, what are we without our humor?
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